I recall reading on a forum here a while back that FMC could meet the competition in the foreseeable future in the areas of HP and torque simply by changing the programming of the engine control module (ECM). Seems like they have been tweaking the ECM to deal with various problems customers have been encountering. But always with some limited success and customer grumbling. E.g., elimination of pilot injecting.

What I am wondering is, can some ingenious hacker or programmer out there analyze the ECM code, and do what FMC won't, i.e., e.g., increase mileage, improve accelleration, increase torque, etc., etc.

I have read a little about some super chips (Edge, etc.), but for me, I have all the torque and HP I need, but I want better mileage.

What would be nice is the availability of code one could load on the fly. Gonna wanna race somebody? Load high accelleration code. Gonna haull a heavy load? Plug in the high torque code. Gonna be just commuting back and forth to work, the grocery, or to church, plug in the high mileage code.

This seems very do-able to me. Am I dreaming? Are there any hacker/programmers out there who can make this a reality?

Comments please.

 

You are talking about doing what you can do with a Predator except not pay for one?

 

Seems counter productive, all the aftermarket folks worked out the problems.......just buy one and enjoy.

 

Sounds like a my Predator.

 

Didn't mean to suggest ripping off a legit aftermarket product. I didn't know such a thing is available.

I wonder why FMC doesn't offer such a capability (as an option or otherwise).

I checked out the Predator website. Looks good.

But I have questions.

What are the problems with Predator, if any? Any drivability problems or quirks?

Does it change any of the Torqueshift tranny characteristics, and if so, how?

Are there warranty issues with FMC if Predator is installed?

Can Predator actually increase my mileage (over the October '03 flash) for around town driving? (BTW, diesel prices have now topped $2.25/gal here in so Cal. and are rising daily.)

Etc.

 

No worry did not think you were going to rip.
Most if not all will make you smile, the one major draw back is not wanting to get out of the truck. At some point you must get to bed.

 

Choctaw, would you mind telling about your use of the Predator?

Does it live up to the manufacture's claims?

Have you had any problems or troublesome quirks with it?

What do you like the most about it?

What, if anything, do you dislike about it?

Is it worth the $400 price in your estimation?

Can you get any better mileage with its use (over FMC's '03 or later flash)?

Thanks.

 

My Truck with the Preditor at the 65 HP setting gets 17 MPG combined town and running 80-85 on the road empty. Every time I can I romp it. I race everyone who will. I love it! I could get better mileage if I could control myself. Maybe when I grow up! I'm only 58.

 

I kinda have that problem now. Gotta love that truck. My only gripe is not necessarily with the truck, but with the soaring price of diesel aroud here. It is approaching the price of some nice Napa Valley wines.

Now, with a limited working man's income, I have to constantly make this decision. Wine? Diesel? Wine? Gawd! Life is so tough!

 

Thanks, Choctaw. I have been getting around 15.2 all around. I know what you mean about romping it. Me too. You're only 58. I am 65, and I still put my foot into it when some Beemer or rice-burner is up for the challenge. When I do that, the mileage sucks, but what the hell. We only go around once (as far as I know), and I hate the second guessing myself when I restrain myself, and let some soccer mom in her Lexus, while gabbing on the cellphone, get ahead of me on the freeway onramp. Screws up my morning when I think afterward, "Hell, I could have blown her off so easily.", but I didn't.

I did that as a teenager in my first Ford, and still do it now, even though I know better. Guess we don't easily outgrow that kind of thing.

 

There is a lot about the predator on the main predator thread. They recently updated the programs by download. Now it is nearly perfect. I have had no problems. It will do everything advertised and more. I can't think of a thing I dislike.
I have bought a lot of performance parts for race cars over the years and I can say that the Predator is by far the biggest bang for the buck ever. To pick up 100 HP on a car you need to spend 3000 on a blower or $500 on nitrous. The 200 Ft Lb torque increase really rips the pavement.
My mileage is 17 mpg combined which is about the same. It must be better because floor it all the time.
Buy one from Tim. They give great service and help.

 

This is the old farts club. I am too 58 and this is a heck of a toy. I use it like a supercharged Bronco. I have been drooling over the prospect of getting a Predator. I am waiting not so patiently for Ford to get back to me on the flash fix for the 6.0L on the Oct flash debacle. If I don't get satisfaction, I will get a Predator. Actually, I might get one anyway.

 

You won't be sorry!

 

One thing.... the Predator has a thirty day money back guarantee. We've sold a ton and have had two returns:

1. The first couple of days we sold them we were not informed that an October 2003 or later flash was required. A customer ordered one and when he found out Diablo recommended the later flash he returned it without using it. He said his truck ran great with his current flash and did not want to take it to Ford to update the flash. Perfectly understandable. We have since found out that some earlier flashes do work with the Predator, but cannot guarantee it.

2. A customer ordered one prior to the transmission programming update Diablo made. He didn't like the shifts in the high setting and did not feel comfortable updating his Predator. Its really easy to upgrade but not everyone likes plugging a Predator up to their PC for upgrade. My father-in-law would fall into this category, he uses a computer but will pay someone to handle anything he can because he's the type who worries about screwing things up.

I can say that since Diablo added the transmission tuning to the unit our customers are blown away with the product. Not a single complaint and several have called back or posted here how happy they are with it. We will unconditionally refund the product if you don't like it (provided you don't physically damage the unit! ). I would say that out of all the Superchips Microtuners, Predators, chips, etc., that we've sold over the years for gas and diesel, this 6.0L Predator is by far the best we've ever experienced in terms of customer satisfaction.

 

Ken,
I second the good reports !
I THOUGHT the tranny upgrade they sent was the best...
but I just added a turbo back system and it REALLY woke up the 6-oh with the predator....
Choctaw Bob is about to complain about his not having enough power when my 8,000 lb Ex walks RIGHT by him tomorrow